"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore." Clary said as we followed Meliorn.
"Welcome to the Seelie Glade, Clary Fairchild and Scarlett Sageman. The remotest edges of it." Meliorn said.
"How did we get here?" I asked.
"There are entrances all through the mundane world." Jace replied.
"You just have to know where to look." Meliorn added.
"Why did we have to come here to find my father?" Clary asked.
"Because of your necklace. It's a portal shard." Meliorn replied.
"Tell us something we don't know." Jace said.
"How does it work?" Meliorn asked.
I was thankful he wasn't paying Jace any mind.
"When I touch the crystal and I think of someone, I can see where they are." Clary replied.
"I'm curious, Shadowhunter, who knows so much about portals, did you ever wonder why this portal doesn't behave the way normal portals do?" Meliorn asked Jace.
I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing because Meliorn is putting Jace in his place.
"Normal portals can only take you to places you've been. I guess I never really thought about it." Jace replied.
"I see Isabelle is the smart one in the family. (I giggled at that and stuck my tongue out at Jace when he glared at me) Your portal shard works the way it does because it's a piece of a portal from another dimension." Meliorn said.
"Another dimension?" I started.
"You're saying that there's a portal in some other universe that can take us to anyone if we just think of them?" Jace finished.
"If you can find the only portal still standing in that dimension... it will take you to your father." Meliorn replied.
*Serena's POV*
Me and Izzy were walking through the Institute when Alec decided to stop us.
"Where the hell have you two been?" Alec asked.
"Where we needed to be." I started.
"Away from you and your fiancee." Izzy finished.
"Jace, Clary, and Scarlett are on the run. I can't protect either of you if you don't tell me the truth." Alec said.
"We don't need protecting." I started.
"Meliorn's alive. That's all that matters." Izzy finished.
"Just... hey, just... tell me this. Is there any way that Raj could have seen anything incriminating?" Alec asked us.
Izzy and I looked at Raj talking to Lydia and then looked back at Alec. We knew that nobody saw us, but people will find anything to blame on us.
*End of POV*
"These trees are where the alternate dimensions intersect the Seelie realm." Meliorn said as we continued to walk.
"How is it possible that the Clave doesn't know about your dimensional doorways?" Jace asked.
"They are our most guarded secret. We are their protectors. Only Seelies know of their existence." Meliorn replied.
"Then why are you telling us?" Clary asked.
"I owe you a life debt... and I don't like being indebted to anyone." Meliorn replied.
"What would happen if..." I went to ask, but Meliorn beat me to it.
"If the Seelie Queen finds out I've shared this with you? I could be executed." Meliorn asked and answered for me.
"Well, we'll be extra careful then." Jace said.
I mentally smacked my forehead because he didn't just say that.
"There is no "we" in this scenario. Only Clary goes in the portal. My debt is to her." Meliorn said.
"You've given us no reason to trust you, Seelie." Jace growled.
"He brought us here." I growled back.
Meliorn looked between us before opening the portal. I glared at Jace because he needs to realize that he can't be up Clary's ass all the time and he needs to back off.
"I knew the Seelies were one with nature, but..." Clary said as we watched Meliorn.
"This will establish a connection to the other dimension." Meliorn said.
"What's it like? The other dimension. Is it like this one?" Clary asked.
"It is... but it isn't." Meliorn replied.
"Could you be more vague?" Jace asked.
"It is an alternate timeline, in a sense. There, Shadowhunters and demons no longer exist." Meliorn replied.
"What?" I asked confused.
"And Downworlders have conformed to the mundane way of life to avoid detection." Meliorn continued.
"What happened to the Shadowhunters?" Clary asked.
"Their services were no longer required, because they won the war against demons, centuries ago. Once they sealed the rifts between their worlds... their culture faded away. Once you arrive in the alternate dimension, you will assume the body of the Clary in that world. You will think and feel just like her." Meliorn replied.
"But I'll still know I'm me, right? I'll know I have to find the portal?" Clary asked.
"There's a catch. With Seelies, there's always a catch." Jace said.
"Your alternate self could consume you if you let it." Meliorn said.
"Is there a way to not let it?" Clary asked.
"Focus on the differences between that world and ours. Find something or someone to keep you grounded to this one." Meliorn replied.
"Easy enough." Clary replied as she glanced at Jace.
I rolled my eyes, but kept my mouth shut. I guess Jace means more to her than I do. I do hope that if something happens that Taylor, Serena, and Izzy can find us.
"It will be more difficult than you think. If you don't hurry, you could cease to be this world's Clary Fairchild." Meliorn added.
"And be stuck in that world forever." Clary said.
Meliorn nodded his head and I knew that Clary had to do this or we will all be in trouble. Darkness fell over us as Meliorn got the portal ready for Clary.
"I just need to be sure it's safe. Just in case I don't make it back." Clary said as she hid the cup in Jace's jacket.
"You're coming back." I said.
"What do any of us know about inter-dimensional travel?" Clary asked as she looked between Jace and I.
"Little bit." Jace replied.
"Not helping." Clary said.
"It's time." Meliorn said as the portal was ready.
"Meliorn, I appreciate the risk you're taking, but a life debt requires you to ensure my safety. I'll agree to go alone... but if I find this alternate portal, I won't be able to face Valentine on my own." Clary said.
"She'll need backup." Jace added.
I just stood there because I didn't really know what to add.
"If you find the portal, you may come back for them. Shadowhunters need Seelie permission to go through. Only demons can pass through unaided." Meliorn sighed.
Meliorn then started speaking in Seelie and opening the door to the portal. Meliorn then nodded at Clary. Clary looked between Jace and I before walking into the portal. Jace and I shared looks because we both know that we're going to have to protect this portal.
*Serena's POV*
"I'm sorry." I heard Lydia tell Alec.
"For what?" Alec asked confused.
Raj came over and stood next to Izzy, and both of us looked at Lydia, trying to figure out what was going on.
"Isabelle Lightwood, by the order of the Clave, you are under arrest for high treason." Lydia said.
"What? On what grounds?" I asked.
"Only a handful of people knew about the Meliorn op." Lydia said.
"And everyone knows she's sleeping with him." Raj added.
Izzy chuckled and I knew that this wasn't going to be good.
"You know what, Lydia? You're no better than Valentine. But at least he had the guts to tell Downworlders to their faces he wanted them dead. You... hide behind the law." Izzy said.
"I don't hide behind it, Isabelle. I simply follow it. Because it guards against one very important thing. Shadowhunters fighting other Shadowhunters." Lydia said.
"If she is convicted, she'll be stripped of her runes and banished. I can't let that..." Alec said, but got interrupted at the end.
"Don't. It's not your fight." Izzy said as she was led away.
Alec and I shared looks, but I'm pissed that Lydia is doing this. She thinks that she's following the law, but there's more to life than always following the law. I hope Alec and I can fix this because if not, then we'll have to tell the others, and I know exactly how that'll go over with Scarlett.
*End of POV*
"If Clary doesn't make it out of there soon, you're gonna be meditating six feet under." Jace said.
I rolled my eyes because I would stop Jace before he ever laid a hand on Meliorn.
"Shadowhunter, have you seen a Seelie knight fight? I wouldn't be so cocky about your prowess if I were you." Meliorn said.
I giggled because Meliorn just put Jace in his place. Meliorn stopped what he was doing, and placed his hand on the ground.
"What's going on?" I asked as Meliorn stood up.
"Opening the doorway to this dimension may not have been a good idea." Meliorn replied.
"On a scale from one to namaste, how screwed are we?" Jace asked.
"Demons are attracted to this dimension. It's defenseless and peaceful." Meliorn replied.
"They like chaos and havoc. All right, pointy ears, looks like yoga time might be over." Jace said as we got ready to fight.
Jace glanced over at me and I nodded my head to let him know that I've got his back. We may be at odds but I will always protect the people I care about no matter what.
*Serena's POV*
Alec and I went to talk to Lydia to see if there was a way that we could held Izzy.
"Lydia... can we talk?" Alec asked.
"Is this where you tell me the engagement's off?" Lydia asked with a sigh.
"What? No." Alex said in shock.
I just rolled my eyes because I can't believe that she's more worried about Alec ending the engagement than why we're really here.
"Why wouldn't you?" Lydia asked.
"Can we just talk off the record?" I asked.
"Head of Institute hat off?" Lydia asked.
"Yeah." I replied.
"Listen, we need to come clean about what happened at the City of Bones." Alec said.
I hope we know what we're doing by telling her this.
"Isabelle was there, wasn't she?" Lydia asked.
"Yeah... and Jace, Clary, Scarlett, and Serena." Alec started.
"And some vampires and werewolves. They thought that were stopping a war with the Downworld." I finished.
"Well, they weren't wrong, but I had orders." Lydia said.
"Yeah, and I understand that better than anyone. But we can't let Izzy be exiled for this." Alec said.
"In the eyes of the Clave, she's guilty. I mean, how do you propose we get around that?" Lydia asked.
"I may have something that the Clave wants. I can give them the Mortal Cup." Alec replied.
I had to hold in a gasp because I can't believe that he's fixing to betray Jace.
"Alec, you have it? Why didn't you tell me before?" Lydia asked.
"I promised Jace. And there's this thing with Clary..." Alec replied while stammering.
"It's... I get it. He's your parabatai." Lydia said.
"I'm gonna trade the Cup for Izzy's freedom. Do you think the Clave would go for it?" Alec asked.
"To keep it out of Valentine's hands, they'll do anything. Where is it?" Lydia asked.
Alec went to where he had put the Cup, but realized it wasn't there.
"Jace." Alec told us as he left the room.
I followed after him because I didn't really want to stay in the same room with Lydia after what we just told her. We went to the room Izzy was in to talk to her.
"Keep it short." Raj said as he let Alec and I into the room Izzy was in.
"Jace stole the Cup." Alec said.
Izzy looked away and I knew that he was fixing to blow his top.
"Izzy, did you know about this? (Alec then glanced at me and I turned my head as well) My God, did both of you help him? The Cup is the only thing that can get you out of this." Alec said.
"Jace is doing what he thinks is right." I replied for both of us.
"What's right? He put the whole Shadow World in danger. He put you in danger. We have to get him back here. With the Cup. It's the only thing that can help you." Alec said as he looked from me to Izzy.
"They've taken Meliorn back to the Seelie realm. You can't track him there." Izzy said.
"Not by any of the normal ways." Alec said.
"No, absolutely not. You cannot track Jace through your parabatai bond. It will weaken both of you. Or break the bond." I said.
"Jace already weakened it. How does he think I can trust him after what he did?" Alec asked.
"Don't say that. Please, Alec. Think about what you're doing." Izzy said before Alec left the room.
I hugged Izzy and told her that I will try my damnedest to stop Alec from doing whatever he has planned. Izzy nodded her head and I headed out the door as well.
"Hodge, you ready?" Alec asked as we walked into a room.
"Alec, don't do this out of anger. Jace is still your parabatai." Lydia said.
"Lydia's right." I added.
Lydia glanced at me because both of us were in shock that I actually agreed with her.
"I'm not letting Jace sacrifice my sister for his girlfriend's pointless crusade. We're doing this. And if you don't want to help, get out." Alec said.
"I'll help... but on one condition." Hodge said.
"What?" Alec asked.
"You don't let it go to far. Now your bond with Jace can withstand a certain amount of strain. But you have to promise me that you won't let it break." Hodge replied.
"Jace is dead to me." Alec said.
"Alec?" Hodge asked.
"You don't know how dependent you are on the bond, or how dependent you are on each other." Lydia added.
"I have to do this. For Izzy." Alec said before taking off his shirt and lying down.
"Prepare yourself. This will be very, very painful." Hodge warned.
"Do it." Alec said.
*End of POV*
"Do you hear that?" Jace asked before we were attacked.
As we were fighting, Meliorn got some weapons from the ground.
"Where the hell did you get those?" Jace asked.
"The Earth provides Shadowhunter. Don't just stand there!" Meliorn replied before we got back to fighting.
*Serena's POV*
I watched as Hodge drew a rune on Alec, and I hated to see him in pain.
"Concentrate. Reach out with your mind... and your heart. Use every strand, every fiber of you that is connected to him." Hodge said.
"It's working. I can see him. Jace!" Alec said before calling out Jace's name.
"You know where he is?" Hodge asked.
I hope that doing this doesn't get either of them killed.
*End of POV*
I took notice that Jace was in pain, even though he wasn't hit, and I tried to stay closer to him to be safe.
"Alec!" Jace hollered out.
The demon he was fighting ended up going through the portal and I didn't know what to do except kill the demon that I was fighting. Meliorn and I finished any other demon that was left, and then headed to Jace. Meliorn lightly slapped Jace's face and he popped his eyes wide open.
"Did either of you kill it?" Jace asked us.
"No." Meliorn replied and I nodded my head in agreement.
"It went through?" Jace asked.
I went to answer but Meliorn felt the rumbling in the ground.
"I have to shut the entrance. More demons are coming." Meliorn said.
"What about Clary? You said you Seelies protect other dimensions." I asked with complete shock because I was scared of losing Clary.
"We do." Meliorn said.
"There is a demon in there with a bunch of unprotected people. Let us in. We can kill it." Jace said.
"If I seal the doorway behind you..." Meliorn started.
"We know, the portal is the only way out." I started as I interrupted Meliorn.
"We're willing to take that risk. Grant us entry." Jace finished.
"Remember, you won't have your seraph blade. Demons don't disintegrate in this dimension." Meliorn told us.
Jace and I nodded our heads before running into the portal. Jace and I took over the bodies of our other dimensional selves and startled Clary.
"Jace?" Clary asked as Jace looked himself over.
"Yeah." Jace replied.
"You okay?" I asked as I joined them.
"Thank God, it's you." Clary told us.
I was happy to see her because I hated not knowing what was going on with her, and even though I may get mad at her, I will always worry about her and always be there to protect her.
*Serena's POV*
"Jace! Jace!" Alec yelled as we ran up to where this door type thing is.
"No. No." I said as I noticed the vines moving.
"What was that?" Lydia asked.
"I don't know. But if they're in there, they're not coming out." Alec replied.
*End of POV*
"Mind filling us in?" Jace asked.
Clary started stammering before the demon attacked us. We all fought the demon, but before it went down, it injected it's venom into Jace. Clary and I coddled him, and then Magnus joined us. I made Clary follow Magnus as I helped Jace up. Clary, Jace, and I went through the portal, and I hope we can help Jace because I'm not ready to bury him.
*Serena's POV*
"Hey. Hey, Alec! Serena!" Raj yelled as Alec and I entered the room Izzy was in.
"Just... Just wait." Alec said as he closed the door.
"What happened? Are you and Jace okay?" Izzy asked.
"No. Our parabatai bond, it's just... so weak. He's like a ghost." Alec replied.
"Alec, what did you do?" Izzy asked.
"Lydia, Serena, and I thought we could stop the trial if we gave the Cup to the Clave." Alec replied.
"Lydia helped you?" Izzy asked in complete shock.
"It doesn't matter. She has no choice but to go through with the trial now." Alec replied with a sigh as he sat down.
"It's okay, big brother. I know you tried." Izzy said as she sat next to Alec.
"I'm sorry." Alec said.
Izzy hugged Alec and I joined them on the couch, so all of us were somehow hugging each other. I may not know what's to come, but I do know that I'll help in any way that I can.
*End of POV*
The three of us got through the portal and Clary was freaking out. I lightly pushed past Clary, lifted up Jace's shirt, and ran my stele over a rune on Jace's stomach.
"Magnus was right. It's not working." Clary said when Jace wasn't fully healed.
"It's enough." I said as I helped Jace up.
"What is all of this?" I asked as we looked around.
"The makings of an army. There's no one here." Jace replied.
"Did Meliorn lie to us? He said that the portal would take us to my father." Clary said.
We then heard banging and all of us jumped.
"Get behind me." Jace told both me and Clary.
I glared at him and stood by his side because I knew he wasn't in the best of shape to fight on his own. Jace opened the door, and was in complete shock at who was in the locker.
"It can't be. It can't be. You died. I saw it." Jace said.
"Jace?" Clary asked.
"Jace... is it really you?" the man asked softly.
"Jace, how do you know this man?" I asked as I lightly touched his arm.
"He's my father." Jace replied.
Clary and I shared shocked looks because neither of us were expecting that.